The Truth About Residential Schools:
* Following a bout of whimsical music, I was introduced to what, seemingly, was a very lovely and wonderful experience for aboriginal children. Residential schools.
Many people insist, rather passionately, that residential schools were bad. They mention physical and emotional abuse, loss of family ties, and the destruction of a culture. But, after seeing the joyous children jumping ropes and participating in the oh-so-Canadian act of playing hockey, I find these sort of insidious claims hard to believe.
Destruction of a culture? Ha! Whoever dared accuse the Canadian government of such atrocity did not understand that aboriginal children were taught “traditions such as the celebration of St. Valentine’s Day.” Their young, impressionable minds were being molded and absorbing relevant, vital knowledge. After all, what human being is capable of living a fulfilling life without participating in rituals that involve chocolate exchanges and badly written poetry?
Furthermore, people, principal Eric was dispensing first aid to his students. Not one of my principals ever expressed any sort of great concert for my health and well-being. (In fact, I am sure more than one of them wished me bodily harm at one or another point in my academic career, but I digress.)
It is also notable that the kids in the video were allowed to wear crowns whilst acquiring “a mastery of words that would open to them a range of the ordinary Canadian curriculum.” This led me to conclude that Eric (and as an extension, all residential schools) really understood the art of holistic learning. In fact, perhaps a few public schools today should take note on their advanced methods, which so clearly respected and deeply cared for their charges.
Observing the attentiveness, patience, and well-roundedness of the youth’s experiences, I felt a pang of pride for society. “Instead of the isolation and neglect of the past, a free and equal chance” was being provided. As I watched the ringing bell, I imagined a thousand juvenile voices rising up in harmony, and thanking residential schools for the superb experiences they provided.
Having been exposed to the marvels of residential schools for a whole two minutes and thirty-eight seconds has made damning claims against the system hard for me to believe. In fact, it has instilled in me a great respect for the methodology used by Canada to not assimilate, but generously give opportunities of growth to First Nations.
* Disclaimer: This is sarcasm. In truth, the video was repulsive and eerily reminiscent of propaganda used by Nazis, which promoted concentration camps. (As can bee seen in this 15-min long video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UDicS0zme8)
